St. Matthews Independence Day 5k Run/Walk 2026

“OUR NATION OWES A DEBT TO ITS FALLEN HEROES THAT WE CAN NEVER FULLY REPAY"

The 5th Annual Louisville Honor Earned, Remembrance Owed (H.E.R.O.) Run/Walk/Ruck honors those who died in battle and those we lost at home to the psychological wounds of war. Join us on Saturday, May 30, 2026 for a day of camaraderie and connection. Proceeds will benefit Volunteers of America Mid-States, as well as the University of Louisville's Salute to Service Scholarship Fund.

Join us to support great Veteran driven charities, learn more about local Veteran organizations, and take home a unique finisher's medal.

The Louisville H.E.R.O. Run/Walk/Ruck is a family friendly event, and will once again take place at the University of Louisville Cardinal Track Stadium, 2125 South Floyd Street in Louisville. The route will leave the track and field stadium, take participants around the beautiful University of Louisville campus, and finish on the track.

Registration

Early Bird Pricing until December 31, 2025: $20 for Military/Veterans, $25 for civilians

After January 1, 2026: $25 for Military/Veterans, $30 for civilians

Kids 8 and under can also choose to run our FREE 100-meter fun run.

Race Ambassadors

Recruit 5 friends and family to register, and get your race registration refunded! Details will be included in your confirmation email after you sign up.

Packet Pickup

Packet pickup will be Friday, May 29, 2026 at Mission BBQ, 4607 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40207, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Race day packet pickup and registration will be from 7:00am to 7:45am at Cardinal Track Stadium. Participants are STRONGLY encouraged to pick up their race packets / swag bags on Friday

Awards

All 5K and 10K finishers will receive a beautiful custom medal to add to their race collection.

Additional awards for top civilian and Veteran male and female finishers for both the 5K and 10K distances.

Course Map

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5796686524 (5K)

10K runners will complete the 5K course twice.

This race is part of the River City Races Run the 502 series. Run six races on our calendar and get a Run the 502 Finisher Medal with charms of all the races finished. Click here to register for the Run the 502.

NEW THIS YEAR, SAVE WITH A FAMILY OF FOUR REGISTRATION

Register a Family of Four and save $10 off the registration fee.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to run the Louisville Bats 5k, the only race where you finish the last ¼ mile with a lap around the diamond at Louisville Slugger Field!*

Course will start and finish outside the back gate on Witherspoon

Race entry includes:

• Two ticket vouchers, good for any 2026 Louisville Bats home game (Some exclusions apply. Vouchers will be in your packet at packet pickup.)

• 2026 Bats 5K Finisher Medal

• Technical Running Socks

• Race Photo with Buddy Bat

• Discount when you register a Family of Four

*weather permitting

Looking for something active for your children to be involved in this summer while also investing in their future? Do they have an interest in running but are you afraid of pushing them too soon? Swag’s is offering its first ever running camp and we want your children to be part of it. This is a week-long camp designed to strengthen your children's interest in running while also having fun. They will have the opportunity to train with collegiate athletes/professional runners and learn from people who know the sport inside and out.

Age: 3rd-8th Grade

Date: June 22nd - 26th

Pre-register only! Must be registered by June 14th? This gives us plenty of time to print shirts and get Swag bags ready.

Location: Seneca (M,W,F) Tom Sawyer (T, TH)

Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Cost: $75 January 1st - midnight February 28th, $85 March 1st - midnight April 30th, $100 May 1st - June 14th

Includes: 2 hour training/5 days (organized and designed by coaches), refreshments, Swag bag ($40 value), advice from prestigious coaches/athletes/business owners/health professionals